Iron County register., 1887-12-22
AMERICAN GIRLS.
A Somewhat Cynical Apology for the En-
gIish Maiden's Total Eclipse.

A Somewhat Cynical Apology for the En-
giish Maiden's Total Eclipse.
The Lady Mauds and the Lady
Beatrices are sore of finding them
selves outshone in the highest circles
by American chits. who. before COM
ing abroad. were just ordinary in
small provincial towns in the United
States. It is hard case to be thrust
into the shade by these fair invaders.
But soreness about it will only spoil
good looks. Why not rather learn the
art of war from the invading bellies.
who were not reared in lighthouses,
but in public free schools? In a great
degree they have conquered because
they are in the habit of thinking them
selves as good as no matter whom, and
of not being shamefaced in the pres
once of mortals of uppermost rank.
I don't think it occurs to the Mauds
and Beatrices that very few uppermost
personages, in no matter what coun-
try, have. or can have, much conver-
sation. Having had allowances from
their cradles upwards there is no
strenuous effort in their lives. And
SO that intensity of thought, feeling
and will which makes man man,
and sublimates a woman. is wanting
in them. Etiquette throws on them
the onus Of starting subjects of con-
versation. Having to talk de haut en-
6as there is no quick interchange of
ideas. AS 1t was three hundred years
ago so it Is now. Their lives being
fiat they must fall back on buffoonery
"a reason why Schneider's dressing
rooms at Les Varieties was ''le Pas
sage des Princes" License of speech
is sure to be granted to any one whose
talk tickles CT is droll. There are few
rosebuds in etiquete-ridden courts
who can so converse. But the United
States free schools produce them in
thousands. Originality in America is
not confined to the unornamental sex.
The conditions of life are so different
there from what they are in England.
and there is such emancipation from
cant in most of the forms in which it
tyrannizes us that the b eauty from
Ohio. Illinois or Delaware is startling
ly novel, and whatever piquancy
there is in her talk comes home with
double force.
There are such heaps of Miss Jenny
Chamberlains in the United States
that hardly any one notices their
points. Americans are astounded
at the effect they produce on English
noblemen when they come out at the
Riviera or in London. As to the eti-
quette invented by Lord Chamber
lains those Flowers from over the At
lantic are in happy ignorance. So
they start topics in colloquies with
royal personages instead of waiting
for them to be started, and. when they
find they please, they go ahead. The
personages are not bored with hear
ing Sir" or MADAME" or Your
Royal Highness." used as commas are
in the conversation of ordinary
persons. Then the young and fair
Americans neglect no advantage which
is derived from attention to personal
appearance. They know how to dress.
and they grudge no money that they
can give 10 the best dentists. Being in
the habit of dancing from infancy.
their gestures are easy and not angu-
lar. and they always talk distinctly,
and if sometimes with slight twang
in an audible voice.
Our girls often humble OF run on in
a chirruping jabber that really is not
speech. They, too, often deal in set
phrases which get soon exhausted. I
think when n British girl is nice she's
the incest of any; and many more
than there are could be charming if
they could only learn how to speak.
and to move about in an easy. grace
full way. The American girl has neat
features, a delicate skin. and a fine,
system. But in the rest of the
nature has been wanting
in generosity. The Western woman
or girl is finer human being than the
Eastern. In the Southern States wom-
anhood is nearest perfection. Wom-
en- there are reposeful-not precisely
but intelligent. sweet and in
eresting. London TRUTH